El Otro Lado

I left feeling uncomfortable and unwilling to support El Otro Lado Hotel. From what I observed, the renovations and operations seemed to treat historic buildings and local heritage as disposable. The property felt exploitative and performative rather than hospitable. Local people I spoke with described being treated unfairly around the hotel, and the owners’ public-facing charities and “foundations” seemed more focused on image management than on real community benefit. That’s how it felt on the ground. Between what locals told me and what I saw, I’d choose another place if ethical tourism and protecting local heritage matter to you. If you have concrete evidence of illegal activity, please report it to local authorities and heritage agencies.

The staff were one of the best parts of our stay, super helpful. For our beach day, they had chairs and umbrellas set up before dropping us off. The place was beautiful, the food was great, and there was plenty to do, from hiking and water sports to a cooking class. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, this is definitely it.

The nature and beaches are pristine and just a quick boat ride away, which the staff were happy to arrange. We had an amazing time and hope to come back. It’s a peaceful, beautiful location with great cuisine, very attentive and friendly staff, and an interesting local culture called “Congo Culture.” The hotel and its staff shared plenty of stories and insights about it, and the hotel supports local non-profit initiatives to keep the culture alive and support community wellbeing. That made us feel more connected to the history and surroundings than at a regular hotel, while still having five-star amenities and full relaxation. One of the nicest resorts I’ve stayed at. Highly recommended.

We had a truly unique stay, with activities like lunch at isolated beaches, a cooking course, cocktail mixing, and a percussion session that let us experience the local culture. The owners have built the hotel complex with a personal touch, so it feels almost like being at home. The staff were extremely friendly and courteous. It’s beautifully designed, next to the small town of Portobelo and surrounded by untouched nature, rainforest, and lovely secluded beaches. This isn’t a typical five-star hotel, it’s much better. Recommend 1000%!